Absorbent article with profiled acquisition-distribution system

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article ( 20 ) having an absorbent core comprising at least about 80% of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) by weight of its absorbent material. An acquisition-distribution system (ADS) ( 50 ) is at least partially disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet. The ADS extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article at least from a point A 1  disposed at a distance D from the front edge to a point A 2  disposed at a distance D from the back edge of the article, D being equal to 32% of the length L of the article. The ADS has a basis weight which may be at least 20% lower at the point A 2  than at the point A 1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to absorbent articles, such as but notlimited to baby diapers, feminine sanitary pads or training pants,comprising an acquisition-distribution system (“ADS”) between theabsorbent core and the topsheet. The ADS may comprise one, two or morelayers and extends at least between two points (A1, A2) respectivelydisposed on the longitudinal axis of the article at a distance of 32%from the front edge and back edge of the absorbent article. The ADS hasa higher basis weight at the point disposed further at the front of thearticle (A1) than at the point further at the back of the article (A2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as disposable diapers,feminine protection sanitary pads and adult incontinence undergarments,are designed to absorb and contain body exudates, in particular but notlimited to urine. These absorbent articles usually comprise severallayers having different functions, for example a topsheet, a backsheetand in-between an absorbent core, among other layers. The function ofthe absorbent core is to absorb and retain the exudates for a prolongedamount of time, for example overnight for a diaper, minimize re-wet tokeep the wearer dry and avoid soiling of clothes or bed sheets.

The majority of currently marketed absorbent article comprise asabsorbent material a blend of comminuted wood pulp with superabsorbentpolymers (SAP) in particulate form, also called absorbent gellingmaterials (AGM), see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 (Buell).Absorbent articles having a core consisting of essentially SAP asabsorbent material (so called “airfelt-free” cores) have also beenproposed but are less common than traditional mixed cores, see e.g.WO2008/155699 (Hundorf), WO95/11652 (Tanzer), WO2012/052172 (VanMalderen). Some absorbent cores have a profiled distribution of SAPtowards the front of the absorbent core where more absorbent capacity isrequired because urine is typically delivered towards the front of thearticle.

It is known to provide a sub-layer, typically a non-woven, between thetopsheet and the absorbent core. These sub-layers are designed toquickly acquire and/or distribute the fluid away from the topsheet andinto the core. These sub-layers are sometimes called “wicking layer”,“surge layer”, “acquisition layer” or “distribution layer”. Articleshaving only one of these sub-layers are known. Articles having twosub-layers or more, in particular a first sub-layer having a highcapillarity which pulls the fluid quickly away from the topsheet and asecond sub-layer a larger void area to distribute the fluid over a largesurface over the core, are also known. These sub-layers typically do notcomprise superabsorbent articles material. In the following, the term“acquisition-distribution system” (“ADS”) will be used to designate thelayer or combination of discrete layers (one, two, or more) presentbetween the topsheet and the backsheet and providing these acquisitionand/or distribution function, irrespective of the number of layers.

Acquisition-distribution systems comprising a single layer are disclosedfor example in WO94/23761 (Payne), which discloses an acquisition layercomprising an homogeneous composition of hydrophilic fibrous materialand a storage layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibrous materialand discrete particles of absorbent gelling material. The acquisitionlayer has an acquisition zone towards the front of the article ofrelatively lower average density and relatively lower average basisweight than a distribution zone towards the back of the article. Anotherexample of ADS having a single layer can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,486,166 and 5,490,846 (Bishop).

US2008/0312621 and US2008/0312622 (Hundorf) describe a disposableabsorbent article comprising a chassis including a topsheet and abacksheet, a substantially cellulose free absorbent core located betweenthe topsheet and the backsheet and having a wearer facing side orientedtoward a wearer when the article is being worn and an opposed garmentfacing side, and a “liquid acquisition system” comprising chemicallycross-linked cellulosic fibers disposed between the liquid permeabletopsheet and the wearer facing side of the absorbent core. The liquidacquisition system may also comprise an upper acquisition layer made ofa latex bonded nonwoven.

WO99/17679 (Everett) discloses an absorbent core having multipleabsorbent layers, wherein the absorbent layers interact in such a mannerwhich preferentially locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, highsaturation wicking layer within the core. This document also disclose aso-called “surge management layer” located on an inwardly facing bodyside surface of the topsheet layer. As shown in the drawings, this surgemanagement layer is placed towards the front of the article and has auniform basis weight along its length.

Typically absorbent cores have a higher absorbency capacity towards thefront of the article as the fluid insult typically happens towards thefront of the article. Acquisition-distribution systems have also beentypically placed towards the front of the article for the same reason.After analyzing several hundred returned used diapers, the inventorshave however surprisingly found that while it is true that the majorityof the fluid insult happens towards the front of the article, a nonnegligible amount of fluid is also acquired in the article further back,in particular at a distance of approximately one third from the backedge of the article. The inventors surprisingly determined that theamount of fluid acquired in the back of the diaper can be as low as1/100 of the one acquired at the front, but sometimes as high asapproximately half the amount acquired at the front in some specialcircumstances, such as high loads for baby girls laying on the back.

The inventors believe that at high loadings the fluid present towardsthe front of the article can saturate the absorbent material of thecore, which slows its absorption. The inventors also believe that insome conditions, the fluid pooling between the skin and the topsheet canbe lead by gravity towards the back of the absorbent article, especiallyif the wearer is sleeping on its back. This principle may be the causeof the surprising presence of high amount of fluid in the back of thediaper, which may cause of a non-negligible amount of diaper leakagesduring the night in the area of the back of the absorbent article.Although one solution to this problem would be to uniformly increase thebasis weight of the existing acquisition-distribution system, thisunfavorably increases production costs and may not prevent the fluidrunning at the surface of the wearer's skin.

The present inventors are proposing instead an improved construction forabsorbent articles having absorbent cores with high concentration ofSAP, which in particular may provide improvements in acquisition speedat high loading and/or during particular wearing conditions. Theproposed ADS of the invention extends towards the back of the article atleast to a certain point (A2) while at the same having a reduced basisweight towards the back of the article. The inventors have found thatproviding a reduced amount of acquisition-distribution material towardsthe back of the article at the point A2 was still sufficient toaccommodate the lower amount of fluid expected in this part of thearticle.

In particular the inventors believe that the addition of a lower amountof acquisition-distribution material in the back of the article issufficient to capture this lower amount of fluid reaching this area andimprove the overall performance of the absorbent article. It is alsobelieved that this new construction can improve the overall acquisitionspeed of the article without significantly increasing costs, even whenthe back of the core comprises relatively low amount of SAP. Theinventors also believe that the acquisition-distribution material nowplaced towards the back of the article may be useful to acquire some ofthe fluid which first injured the article towards its front, and tolater redistribute the fluid to the front of the core where the highercapacity is present. Additionally a lower basis weight for theacquisition distribution system at the back is believed to be beneficialto reduce the risk of saturating the back of the absorbent core, wherecapacity can be more limited than at the front.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed in a first aspect to absorbentarticles as indicated in the claims. In particular the absorbentarticles of the invention comprise a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquidimpermeable backsheet, an absorbent core comprising at least 80% byweight of superabsorbent polymers, a core wrap enclosing thesuperabsorbent polymers and an acquisition distribution system (herein“ADS”) at least partially disposed between the absorbent core and thetopsheet. The ADS extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbentarticle at least from a point A1 disposed at a distance D of the frontedge to a point A2 disposed at a distance D from the back edge of thearticle, D being equal to 32% of the length L of the article. The ADShas a basis weight which is lower at the point A2 than at the point A1,in particular at least 20% lower.

The ADS may comprise one (i.e. a single) layer, two layers or morelayers. The ADS may in particular comprise a distribution layer and anacquisition layer, the acquisition layer being at least partiallydisposed between the distribution layer and the topsheet. The absorbentarticle may further comprise channels substantially free ofsuperabsorbent polymers and at least partially orientated in thelongitudinal direction.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a process formaking absorbent articles according to the first aspect of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an absorbent article of the invention with somelayers partially removed and comprising an ADS formed by combining anacquisition layer and a distribution layer;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 alongits longitudinal axis 80;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 alongits transversal axis 90;

FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 each show a top view of a different absorbent articleaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 show the respective longitudinal cross-section of theabsorbent articles of FIGS. 4, 6 and 8.

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal cross-section view of an absorbent articleof the invention having only one layer forming the ADS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to disposabledevices such as infant or adult diapers, training pants, femininehygiene articles and the like which are placed against or in proximityto the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudatesdischarged from the body. Typically these articles comprise a topsheet,backsheet, an absorbent core, an acquisition-distribution system (whichmay be comprised of one or several layers) and possibly othercomponents, with the absorbent core normally placed between thebacksheet and the acquisition system or topsheet. The absorbent core istypically the component of the article having the most absorbentcapacity. The absorbent articles of the invention will be furtherillustrated in the below description and in the Figures in the form of ataped diaper 20. Nothing in this description should be howeverconsidered limiting the scope of the claims unless explicitly indicatedotherwise.

A “nonwoven web” as used herein means a manufactured sheet, web or battof directionally or randomly orientated fibers, bonded by friction,and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding paper and products which arewoven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns orfilaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionallyneedled. The fibers may be of natural or man-made origin and may bestaple or continuous filaments or be formed in situ. Commerciallyavailable fibers have diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm tomore than about 0.2 mm and they come in several different forms such asshort fibers (known as staple, or chopped), continuous single fibers(filaments or monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments(tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (yam). Nonwoven webscan be formed by many processes such as meltblowing, spunbonding,solvent spinning, electrospinning, carding and airlaying. The basisweight of nonwoven webs is usually expressed in grams per square meter(g/m²).

“Comprise,” “comprising,” and “comprises” are open ended terms, eachspecifies the presence of the feature that follows, e.g. a component,but does not preclude the presence of other features, e.g. elements,steps, components known in the art or disclosed herein. These termsbased on the verb “comprise” should be read as encompassing the narrowerterms “consisting essential of” which excludes any element, step oringredient not mentioned which materially affect the way the featureperforms its function, and the term “consisting of” which excludes anyelement, step, or ingredient not specified. Any preferred or exemplaryembodiments described below are not limiting the scope of the claims,unless specifically indicated to do so. The words “typically”,“normally”, “advantageously” and the likes also qualify features whichare not intended to limit the scope of the claims unless specificallyindicated to do so.

Unless indicated otherwise, the description refers to the absorbentarticle and its components before use (i.e. dry, and not loaded with afluid) and conditioned at least 24 hours at 21° C.+/−2° C. and 50+/−20%Relative Humidity (RH).

General Description of the Absorbent Article Shown in the Figures

An exemplary absorbent article according to the invention in the form ofan infant diaper 20 is represented in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is a plan viewof the exemplary diaper 20, in a flat-out state, with portions of thestructure being cut-away to more clearly show the construction of thediaper 20. This diaper 20 is shown for illustration purpose only as theinvention may be used for making a wide variety of diapers or otherabsorbent articles. FIG. 10 shows for example a simpler diaperconstruction which is also part of the invention.

The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet 24, a liquidimpermeable backsheet 25, an absorbent core 28 disposed between thetopsheet 24 and the backsheet 25. The absorbent articles also comprisean acquisition-distribution system 50 (“ADS”), which in the examplerepresented comprises an acquisition layer 52 and a distribution layer54, which will be further detailed in the following. FIG. 1 also showstypical diaper components such as a fastening system comprising adhesivetabs 42 cooperating with a landing zone on the front of the article (notrepresented). Other typical diaper components such as elasticized legcuffs and barrier leg cuffs were not represented in the figures forclarity of depiction of the other components, but should be consideredpresent as is common in taped diapers. The diaper may also compriseother typical elements, which are not represented, such as a backelastic waist feature, a front elastic waist feature, transverse barriercuff(s), side panels, a lotion application, etc. . . . .

The absorbent article comprises a front edge 10, a back edge 12, and twoside edges 13, 14. The front edge 10 is the edge of the article which isintended to be placed towards the front of the user when worn, and theback edge 12 is the opposite edge. The absorbent article when viewedfrom above in a flattened configuration as shown in FIG. 1 with topsheetup may be notionally divided by a longitudinal axis 80 extending fromthe front edge to the back edge of the article and dividing the articlein two substantially symmetrical halves relative to this axis. Thelength L of the article can be measured along this longitudinal axisfrom the front edge to the back edge of the article. The absorbentarticle can be further notionally divided at half its length L (asmeasured on the longitudinal axis) by a transversal axis 90perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a front half and a back half.Typically in a diaper, the absorbent article is not substantiallysymmetrical along the transversal axis as the absorbent capacity is moreconcentrated towards the front of the diaper. The back half maytypically comprise back ears 40 carrying the fastening tape 42, and thefront half the landing zone (not represented) for the fastening tapes.

The topsheet 24, the backsheet 25, the absorbent core 28 and the otherarticle components may be assembled in a variety of well knownconfigurations, in particular by gluing or heat embossing. Exemplarydiaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003, 5,221,274, 5,554,145, 5,569,234, 5,580,411, and 6,004,306.

The absorbent articles of the invention comprise a profiled acquisitiondistribution system 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of theabsorbent article at least from a point A1 disposed at a distance D ofthe front edge to a point A2 disposed at a distance D from the back edgeof the article, D being equal to 32% of the length L of the article. TheADS has a basis weight which is at least 20% lower at the point A2 thanat the point A1. Advantageously the ADS extends further than the pointsA1 and A2 towards the front and back edges of the article. However theADS may advantageously not extend in the longitudinal and transversaldirection beyond the absorbent material deposition area of the core toreduce the chance of leakage.

The absorbent core 28 comprises absorbent material comprising at least80% by weight of superabsorbent polymers (herein “SAP”) and a core wrapenclosing the absorbent material. The core wrap may typically comprisetwo substrates 16 and 16′ for the top side and back side of the core.The core may further comprise channels 26, 26′, which may besubstantially free of superabsorbent polymers surrounded by thesuperabsorbent polymers, which may help the fluid to penetrate quickerwithin the core.

The absorbent article is preferably thin. The caliper at the front ofthe article as measured at the point A1 may be for example from 2.5 mmto 10.0 mm, in particular from 3.0 mm to 6.0 mm (see CALIPER measurementmethod below). The caliper at the back of the article as measured at thepoint A2 will be typically lower than at the point A1, as the basisweight, and hence the amount of material, of the ADS will be lower atthe point A2. The caliper of the article at the point A2 may range inparticular from 2.0 mm to 8.0 mm, in particular from 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm.

These and other components of the articles will now be discussed in moredetails.

Topsheet 24

The topsheet 24 is a part of the absorbent article that is directly incontact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet can be joined to thebacksheet, the core and/or any other layers as is known in the art (asused herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element).Usually, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 25 are joined directly toeach other in some locations (e.g. on or close to the periphery of thearticle) and are indirectly joined together in other locations bydirectly joining them to one or more other elements of the article 20.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid permeable, permitting liquids to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from awide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams,apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven materials of naturalfibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers or filaments(e.g., polyester or polypropylene or bicomponent PE/PP fibers ormixtures thereof), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Ifthe topsheet 24 includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded,wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is knownin the art, in particular spunbond PP nonwoven. A suitable topsheetcomprising a web of staple-length polypropylene fibers is manufacturedby Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole,Mass. under the designation P-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets are also described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,929,135, 4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, and 5,006,394. Othersuitable topsheets 30 may be made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos.4,609,518 and 4,629,643 issued to Curro et al. Such formed films areavailable from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as“DRI-WEAVE” and from Tredegar Corporation, based in Richmond, Va., as“CLIFF-T”.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as is knownin the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,607,760, 5,609,587, 5,643,588, 5,968,025 and 6,716,441. Thetopsheet 24 may also include or be treated with antibacterial agents,some examples of which are disclosed in PCT Publication WO95/24173.Further, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 25 or any portion of thetopsheet or backsheet may be embossed and/or matte finished to provide amore cloth like appearance.

The topsheet 24 may comprise one or more apertures to ease penetrationof exudates therethrough, such as urine and/or feces (solid, semi-solid,or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture is important inachieving the desired waste encapsulation performance. If the primaryaperture is too small, the waste may not pass through the aperture,either due to poor alignment of the waste source and the aperturelocation or due to fecal masses having a diameter greater than theaperture. If the aperture is too large, the area of skin that may becontaminated by “rewet” from the article is increased. Typically, thetotal area of the apertures at the surface of a diaper may have an areaof between about 10 cm² and about 50 cm², in particular between about 15cm² and 35 cm². Examples of apertured topsheet are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,632,504, assigned to BBA NONWOVENS SIMPSONVILLE.WO2011/163582 also discloses suitable colored topsheet having a basisweight of from 12 to 18 gsm and comprising a plurality of bonded points.Each of the bonded points has a surface area of from 2 mm² to 5 mm² andthe cumulated surface area of the plurality of bonded points is from 10to 25% of the total surface area of the topsheet.

Typical diaper topsheets have a basis weight of from about 10 to about28 gsm, in particular between from about 12 to about 18 gsm but otherbasis weights are possible.

Backsheet 25

The backsheet 25 is generally that portion of the article 20 positionedadjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 28 and whichprevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles such as bedsheets and undergarments. The backsheet 25 istypically impermeable to liquids (e.g. urine). The backsheet may forexample be or comprise a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic filmhaving a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplarybacksheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Corporation,based in Richmond, Va., and sold under the trade name CPC2 film. Othersuitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials whichpermit vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventingexudates from passing through the backsheet 25. Exemplary breathablematerials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs,composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, microporous filmssuch as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under thedesignation ESPOIR NO and by Tredegar Corporation of Richmond, Va., andsold under the designation EXAIRE, and monolithic films such asmanufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under the nameHYTREL blend P18-3097. Some breathable composite materials are describedin greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 published on Jun.22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,648 to LaVonet al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,793 to Linman et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,865,823 to Curro; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 to Dobrin et al, U.S.Pat. No. 6,946,585B2 to London Brown.

The backsheet 25 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known inthe art. Suitable attachment means are described above with respect tomeans for joining the topsheet 24 to other elements of the article 20.For example, the attachment means may include a uniform continuous layerof adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separatelines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Suitable attachment meanscomprises an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Other suitable attachment means includeseveral lines of adhesive filaments which are swirled into a spiralpattern, as is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,911,173, 4,785,996; and 4,842,666. Adhesives which have beenfound to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St.Paul, Minn. and marketed as HL-1620 and HL 1358-XZP. Alternatively, theattachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonicbonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment meansor combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art.

Absorbent Core 28

As used herein, the term “absorbent core” refers to an independentcomponent suitable for use in an absorbent article comprising absorbentmaterial with a high amount of superabsorbent polymers (hereinabbreviated as “SAP”) enclosed within a core wrap. The superabsorbentpolymers content in the core is relatively high and represents at least80% by weight of the absorbent material contained in the core wrap. By“absorbent material” it is meant all the materials which have someabsorbency property or liquid retaining properties such as SAP,cellulosic fibers as well as synthetic fibers. Typically, glues used inmaking absorbent cores have no absorbency properties and are notconsidered as absorbent material. The SAP content may be higher, forexample at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% and even up to andincluding 100% of the weight of the absorbent material contained withinthe core wrap. This provides a relatively thin core compared toconventional core comprising between 40-60% SAP and high content ofcellulose fibers. The absorbent material may in particular comprisesless than 10% weight percent of natural or synthetic fibers, or lessthan 5% weight percent, or even be substantially free of natural and/orsynthetic fibers. The absorbent material may advantageously compriselittle or no airfelt (cellulose) fibers, in particular the absorbentcore may comprise less than 15%, 10%, 5% airfelt (cellulose) fibers byweight of the absorbent core, or even be substantially free of cellulosefibers.

The absorbent core of the invention may further comprise adhesive forexample to help immobilizing the SAP within the core wrap and/or toensure integrity of the core wrap, in particular when the core wrap ismade of two or more substrates. The core wrap will typically extend to alarger area than strictly needed for containing the absorbent materialwithin. The absorbent material within the core wrap comprising at least80% SAP forms an area within the core wrap which will be referred to asAbsorbent material deposition area in the following.

Examples of cores comprising relatively high amount of SAP are known,and various core design have been proposed in the past, for example inU.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 (Goldman), EP1,447,066 (Busam), WO95/11652(Tanzer) or US2008/0312622A1 (Hundorf), WO2012/052172 (Van Malderen). Insome embodiments, these cores comprise a layer of SAP comprised ofindividual pockets or stripes of SAP enclosed within the core wrap. Inother embodiments, the cores comprise a continuous layer of SAP enclosedwithin the core wrap. The continuous layer of SAP may be in particularbe obtained by combining two absorbent layers having discontinuous SAPapplication pattern wherein the resulting layer of SAP is substantiallycontinuously distributed across the absorbent particulate polymermaterial area.

As illustrated in a particular example in FIG. 2, the absorbent core maycomprise a first absorbent layer and a second absorbent layer, the firstabsorbent layer comprising a first substrate 16 and a first layer of SAP61, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate 16′ and asecond layer of SAP 62, and a fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material 51at least partially bonding the layers of SAP to their respectivesubstrate, the first substrate and the second substrate forming the corewrap. By “SAP” it is meant an absorbent material comprising at least 80%SAP and advantageously up to 100%. The SAP layers may be deposited ontheir respective substrate in a deposition pattern comprising land areascomprising SAP particles and junction areas between the land areas beingfree of SAP. In the example of FIG. 2 these land areas arelongitudinally extending across the width of absorbent materialdeposition area 8. The fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material is thenat least partially in contact with the SAP in the land areas and atleast partially in contact with the substrate layer in the junctionareas. This imparts an essentially three-dimensional structure to thefibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material, which in itself isessentially a two-dimensional structure of relatively small thickness,as compared to the dimension in length and width directions. Thereby,the fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material may provide cavities tocover the SAP in the land area, and thereby immobilizes this material.

The thermoplastic adhesive material may comprise, in its entirety, asingle thermoplastic polymer or a blend of thermoplastic polymers,having a softening point, as determined by the ASTM Method D-36-95 “Ringand Ball”, in the range between 50° C. and 300° C., and/or thethermoplastic adhesive material may be a hotmelt adhesive comprising atleast one thermoplastic polymer in combination with other thermoplasticdiluents such as tackifying resins, plasticizers and additives such asantioxidants.

The thermoplastic polymer has typically a molecular weight (Mw) of morethan 10,000 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) usually below roomtemperature or −6° C.<Tg<16° C. Typical concentrations of the polymer ina hotmelt are in the range of about 20 to about 40% by weight. Thethermoplastic polymers may be water insensitive. Exemplary polymers are(styrenic) block copolymers including A-B-A triblock structures, A-Bdiblock structures and (A-B)n radial block copolymer structures whereinthe A blocks are non-elastomeric polymer blocks, typically comprisingpolystyrene, and the B blocks are unsaturated conjugated diene or(partly) hydrogenated versions of such. The B block is typicallyisoprene, butadiene, ethylene/butylene (hydrogenated butadiene),ethylene/propylene (hydrogenated isoprene), and mixtures thereof. Othersuitable thermoplastic polymers that may be employed are metallocenepolyolefins, which are ethylene polymers prepared using single-site ormetallocene catalysts. Therein, at least one comonomer can bepolymerized with ethylene to make a copolymer, terpolymer or higherorder polymer. Also applicable are amorphous polyolefins or amorphouspolyalphaolefins (APAO) which are homopolymers, copolymers orterpolymers of C2 to C8 alpha olefins.

The tackifying resin may exemplarily have a Mw below 5,000 and a Tgusually above room temperature, typical concentrations of the resin in ahotmelt are in the range of about 30 to about 60%, and the plasticizerhas a low Mw of typically less than 1,000 and a Tg below roomtemperature, with a typical concentration of about 0 to about 15%.

The adhesive used for the fibrous layer preferably has elastomericproperties, such that the web formed by the fibers on the SAP is able tobe stretched as SAP swell. Exemplary elastomeric, hotmelt adhesivesinclude thermoplastic elastomers such as ethylene vinyl acetates,polyurethanes, polyolefin blends of a hard component (generally acrystalline polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene) and a Softcomponent (such as ethylene-propylene rubber); copolyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene azelate); and thermoplasticelastomeric block copolymers having thermoplastic end blocks and rubberymid blocks designated as A-B-A block copolymers: mixtures ofstructurally different homopolymers or copolymers, e.g., a mixture ofpolyethylene or polystyrene with an A-B-A block copolymer; mixtures of athermoplastic elastomer and a low molecular weight resin modifier, e.g.,a mixture of a styrene-isoprenestyrene block copolymer with polystyrene;and the elastomeric, hot-melt, pressure-sensitive adhesives describedherein. Elastomeric, hot-melt adhesives of these types are described inmore detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,066 issued to Korpman on Mar. 15,1988.

The thermoplastic adhesive material is applied as fibers. The fibers mayexemplarily have an average thickness of about 1 to about 50 micrometersor about 1 to about 35 micrometers and an average length of about 5 mmto about 50 mm or about 5 mm to about 30 mm. To improve the adhesion ofthe thermoplastic adhesive material to the substrate or to any otherlayer, in particular any other nonwoven layer, such layers may bepre-treated with an auxiliary adhesive. The fibers adhere to each otherto form a fibrous layer, which can also be described as a mesh.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic adhesive material will meet atleast one, or several, or all of the following parameters. An exemplarythermoplastic adhesive material may have a storage modulus G′ measuredat 20° C. of at least 30,000 Pa and less than 300,000 Pa, or less than200,000 Pa, or between 140,000 Pa and 200,000 Pa, or less than 100,000Pa. In a further aspect, the storage modulus G′ measured at 35° C. maybe greater than 80,000 Pa. In a further aspect, the storage modulus G′measured at 60° C. may be less than 300,000 Pa and more than 18,000 Pa,or more than 24,000 Pa, or more than 30,000 Pa, or more than 90,000 Pa.In a further aspect, the storage modulus G′ measured at 90° C. may beless than 200,000 Pa and more than 10,000 Pa, or more than 20,000 Pa, ormore then 30,000 Pa. The storage modulus measured at 60° C. and 90° C.may be a measure for the form stability of the thermoplastic adhesivematerial at elevated ambient temperatures. This value is particularlyimportant if the absorbent product is used in a hot climate where thethermoplastic adhesive material would lose its integrity if the storagemodulus G′ at 60° C. and 90° C. is not sufficiently high.

G′ can be measured using a rheometer as indicated in WO2010/27719. Therheometer is capable of applying a shear stress to the adhesive andmeasuring the resulting strain (shear deformation) response at constanttemperature. The adhesive is placed between a Peltier-element acting aslower, fixed plate and an upper plate with a radius R of e.g., 10 mm,which is connected to the drive shaft of a motor to generate the shearstress. The gap between both plates has a height H of e.g., 1500 micron.The Peltier-element enables temperature control of the material (+0.5°C.). The strain rate and frequency should be chosen such that allmeasurements are made in the linear viscoelastic region.

The absorbent core advantageously achieve an SAP loss of no more thanabout 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% according to the WetImmobilization Test described in WO2010/0051166A1.

Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP)

“Superabsorbent polymers” as used herein refer to absorbent materialwhich are cross-linked polymeric materials that can absorb at least 10times their weight of an aqueous 0.9% saline solution as measured usingthe Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) test (EDANA method WSP241.2-05E). The SAP of the invention may in particular have a CRC valueof more than 20 g/g, or more than 24 g/g, or of from 20 to 50 g/g, orfrom 20 to 40 g/g, or 24 to 30 g/g. The SAP useful in the presentinvention include a variety of water-insoluble, but water-swellablepolymers capable of absorbing large quantities of fluids.

The SAP can be in particulate form so as to be flowable in the drystate. Typical particulate absorbent polymer materials are made ofpoly(meth)acrylic acid polymers. However, e.g. starch-based particulateabsorbent polymer material may also be used, as well polyacrylamidecopolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linkedcarboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linkedpolyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.The superabsorbent polymer may be polyacrylates and polyacrylic acidpolymers that are internally and/or surface cross-linked. Suitablematerials are described in the PCT Patent Application WO07/047598 or forexample WO07/046052 or for example WO2009/155265 and WO2009/155264. Insome embodiments, suitable SAP particles may be obtained by currentstate of the art production processes as is more particularly asdescribed in WO 2006/083584. The SAP are preferably internallycross-linked, i.e. the polymerization is carried out in the presence ofcompounds having two or more polymerizable groups which can befree-radically copolymerized into the polymer network. Usefulcrosslinkers include for example ethylene glycol dimethacrylate,diethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropanetriacrylate, triallylamine, tetraallyloxyethane as described in EP-A 530438, di- and triacrylates as described in EP-A 547 847, EP-A 559 476,EP-A 632 068, WO 93/21237, WO 03/104299, WO 03/104300, WO 03/104301 andin DE-A 103 31 450, mixed acrylates which, as well as acrylate groups,include further ethylenically unsaturated groups, as described in DE-A103 31 456 and DE-A 103 55 401, or crosslinker mixtures as described forexample in DE-A 195 43 368, DE-A 196 46 484, WO90/15830 and WO02/32962as well as cross-linkers described in WO2009/155265. The superabsorbentpolymer particles may be externally surface cross-linked, or: postcross-linked). Useful post-crosslinkers include compounds including twoor more groups capable of forming covalent bonds with the carboxylategroups of the polymers. Useful compounds include for example alkoxysilylcompounds, polyaziridines, polyamines, polyamidoamines, di- orpolyglycidyl compounds as described in EP-A 083 022, EP-A 543 303 andEP-A 937 736, polyhydric alcohols as described in DE-C 33 14 019, cycliccarbonates as described in DE-A 40 20 780, 2-oxazolidone and itsderivatives, such as N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-oxazolidone as described inDE-A 198 07 502, bis- and poly-2-oxazolidones as described in DE-A 19807 992, 2-oxotetrahydro-1,3-oxazine and its derivatives as described inDE-A 198 54 573, N-acyl-2-oxazolidones as described in DE-A 198 54 574,cyclic ureas as described in DE-A102 04 937, bicyclic amide acetals asdescribed in DE-A 103 34 584, oxetane and cyclic ureas as described inEP-A 1 199 327 and morpholine-2,3-dione and its derivatives as describedin WO 03/031482.

In some embodiments, the SAP are formed from polyacrylic acidpolymers/polyacrylate polymers, for example having a neutralizationdegree of from 60% to 90%, or about 75%, having for example sodiumcounter ions.

The SAP useful for the present invention may be of numerous shapes. Theterm “particles” refers to granules, fibers, flakes, spheres, powders,platelets and other shapes and forms known to persons skilled in the artof superabsorbent polymer particles. In some embodiments, thesuperabsorbent polymer particles can be in the shape of fibers, i.e.elongated, acicular superabsorbent polymer particles. In thoseembodiments, the superabsorbent polymer particles fibers have a minordimension (i.e. diameter of the fiber) of less than about 1 mm, usuallyless than about 500 μm, and preferably less than 250 μm down to 50 μm.The length of the fibers is preferably about 3 mm to about 100 mm. Thefibers can also be in the form of a long filament that can be woven.

Typically, SAP are spherical-like particles. In contrast to fibers,“spherical-like particles” have a longest and a smallest dimension witha particulate ratio of longest to smallest particle dimension in therange of 1-5, where a value of 1 would equate a perfectly sphericalparticle and 5 would allow for some deviation from such a sphericalparticle. The superabsorbent polymer particles may have a particle sizeof less than 850 or from 50 to 850 preferably from 100 to 500 morepreferably from 150 to 300 as measured according to EDANA method WSP220.2-05. SAP having a relatively low particle size help to increase thesurface area of the absorbent material which is in contact with liquidexudates and therefore support fast absorption of liquid exudates.

The SAP may have a particle sizes in the range from 45 μm to 4000 μm,more specifically a particle size distribution within the range of from45 μm to about 2000 μm, or from about 100 μm to about 1000, 850 or 600μm. The particle size distribution of a material in particulate form canbe determined as it is known in the art, for example by means of drysieve analysis (EDANA 420.02 “Particle Size distribution).

In some embodiments herein, the superabsorbent material is in the formof particles with a mass medium particle size up to 2 mm, or between 50microns and 2 mm or to 1 mm, or preferably from 100 or 200 or 300 or 400or 500 μm, or to 1000 or to 800 or to 700 μm; as can for example bemeasured by the method set out in for example EP-A-0691133. In someembodiments of the invention, the superabsorbent polymer material is inthe form of particles whereof at least 80% by weight are particles of asize between 50 μm and 1200 μm and having a mass median particle sizebetween any of the range combinations above. In addition, or in anotherembodiment of the invention, said particles are essentially spherical.In yet another or additional embodiment of the invention thesuperabsorbent polymer material has a relatively narrow range ofparticle sizes, e.g. with the majority (e.g. at least 80% or preferablyat least 90% or even at least 95% by weight) of particles having aparticle size between 50 μm and 1000 μm, preferably between 100 μm and800 μm, and more preferably between 200 μm and 600 μm.

Suitable SAP may for example be obtained from inverse phase suspensionpolymerizations as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,340,706 and 5,849,816or from spray- or other gas-phase dispersion polymerizations asdescribed in US Patent Applications No. 2009/0192035, 2009/0258994 and2010/0068520. In some embodiments, suitable SAP may be obtained bycurrent state of the art production processes as is more particularlydescribed from page 12, line 23 to page 20, line 27 of WO 2006/083584.

The surface of the SAP may be coated, for example, with a cationicpolymer. Preferred cationic polymers can include polyamine or polyiminematerials. In some embodiments, the SAP may be coated with chitosanmaterials such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,832 B2. In someother embodiments, the SAP may comprise mixed-bed Ion-Exchange absorbentpolymers such as those disclosed in WO 99/34841 and WO 99/34842.

The absorbent core will typically comprise only one type of SAP, but itis not excluded that a blend of SAPs may be used. The fluid permeabilityof a superabsorbent polymer can be quantified using its UrinePermeability Measurement (UPM) value, as measured in the test disclosedEuropean patent application number EP12174117.7. The UPM of the SAP mayfor example be of at least 10×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g, or at least 30×10⁻⁷cm³·sec/g, or at least 50×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g, or more, e.g. at least 80 or100×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g. The flow characteristics can also be adjusted byvarying the quantity and distribution of the SAP used in the secondabsorbent layer.

For most absorbent articles, the liquid discharge occurs predominatelyin the front half of the article, in particular for diaper. The fronthalf of the article (as defined by the transversal centerline 90) maytherefore comprise most of the absorbent capacity of the core. Thus, atleast 60% of the SAP, or at least 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% of the SAP may bepresent in the front half of the absorbent article, the remaining SAPbeing disposed in the back half of the absorbent article.

The total amount of SAP present in the absorbent core may also varyaccording to expected user. Feminine protection articles or diapers fornew born may require much less SAP than infant or adult incontinencediapers. For infant diapers the total amount of SAP may be for examplecomprised from about 1 to 50 g, in particular from 2 to 20 g. Theaverage basis weight of the SAP within the (or “at least one”, ifseveral are present) absorbent material deposition area may be of atleast 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more g/m².

Core Wrap (16, 16′)

The core wrap may be made of one substrate folded around the absorbentmaterial of the core, or may comprise two or more substrates which areattached to another, for example in a so-called sandwich wrap, or a socalled C-wrap as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, where the longitudinal (and/ortransversal) edges of one of the substrate are folded over the othersubstrate.

The core wrap may be formed by any materials suitable for receiving theabsorbent materials deposited thereon. Typical substrate materials usedin the production of conventional cores may be used, in particularpaper, tissues, films, wovens or nonwovens, or laminate of any of these.The first and second substrates may in particular be formed by anonwoven web, such as a carded nonwoven, spunbond nonwoven (“S”) ormeltblown nonwoven (“M”), and laminates of any of these. For examplespunmelt polypropylene nonwovens are suitable, in particular thosehaving a laminate web SMS, or SMMS, or SSMMS, structure, and having abasis weight range of about 5 gsm to 15 gsm. Suitable materials are forexample disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,576, US2011/0268932A1,US2011/0319848A1 or US2011/0250413A1. Nonwoven materials provided fromsynthetic fibers may be used, such as PE, PET and in particular PP.

If the core wrap comprises a first substrate 16 and a second substrate16′ these may be made of the same type of material, or may be made ofdifferent materials or one of the substrate may be treated differentlythan the other to provide it with different properties. As the polymersused for nonwoven production are inherently hydrophobic, they arepreferably coated with hydrophilic coatings if placed on the fluidreceiving side of the absorbent core. A possible way to producenonwovens with durably hydrophilic coatings is via applying ahydrophilic monomer and a radical polymerization initiator onto thenonwoven, and conducting a polymerization activated via UV lightresulting in monomer chemically bound to the surface of the nonwoven. Analternative possible way to produce nonwovens with durably hydrophiliccoatings is to coat the nonwoven with hydrophilic nanoparticles, e.g. asdescribed in WO 02/064877.

Permanently hydrophilic nonwovens are also useful in some embodiments.Surface tension, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,576 (Busam et al.),can be used to measure how permanently a certain hydrophilicity level isachieved. Liquid strike through, as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,744,576, can be used to measure the hydrophilicity level. The firstand/or second substrate may in particular have a surface tension of atleast 55, preferably at least 60 and most preferably at least 65 mN/m orhigher when wetted with saline solution. The substrate may also have aliquid strike through time of less than 5 s for a fifth gush of liquid.These values can be measured using the test methods described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,744,576B2: “Determination Of Surface Tension” and“Determination of Strike Through” respectively.

Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically defined in terms of contactangle and the strike through time of the fluids, for example through anonwoven fabric. This is discussed in detail in the American ChemicalSociety publication entitled “Contact angle, wettability and adhesion”,edited by Robert F. Gould (Copyright 1964). A substrate having a lowercontact angle between the water and the surface of substrate may be saidto be more hydrophilic than another.

The substrates may also be air-permeable. Films useful herein maytherefore comprise micro-pores. The first and second substrate may havefor example an air-permeability of from 40 or from 50, to 300 or to 200m³/(m²×min), as determined by EDANA method 140-1-99 (125 Pa, 38.3 cm²).The first and/or second substrate may alternatively have a lowerair-permeability, e.g. being non-air-permeable, for example tofacilitate handling on a moving surface comprising vacuum.

As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the first substrate 16 may be placed onone side of the core (the top side as represented therein) and extendsaround the core's longitudinal edges to partially wrap the opposed(bottom) side of the core. The second substrate 16′ can be positionedbetween the wrapped flaps of the first substrate 16 and the rest of thecore. The flaps of the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 16′may be glued. This so called C-wrap construction can provide benefitssuch as improved resistance to bursting in a wet loaded state. Thetransversal edges of the core may then also be sealed for example bygluing to provide complete encapsulation of the absorbent materials ofthe core across the whole of the periphery of the core. As an alternateconstruction, in the so-called sandwich construction, the first andsecond substrates may extend outwardly and be sealed along the whole orparts of the periphery of the core, for example along the longitudinaledges of the core, typically by gluing and/or heat/pressure bonding.

Typically neither first nor second substrates need to be shaped, so thatthey can be rectangularly cut for ease of production but of course othershapes are possible.

Absorbent Material Deposition Area 8

The deposition area 8 of the absorbent material can be defined by theperiphery of the layer formed by the absorbent material within the corewrap as viewed from the top of the flattened article, as shown inFIG. 1. The absorbent material deposition area 8 can take variousshapes, in particular display a so-called “dog bone” or “hour-glass”shape, which shows a tapering along its width in the middle or “crotch”region of the core, as exemplarily shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Inthis way, the absorbent material deposition area may have a relativelynarrow width in an area of the core intended to be placed in the crotchregion of the absorbent article. This may provide for example betterwearing comfort. The absorbent material deposition area 8 may thus havea width (as measured in the transversal direction) at its narrowestpoint which is less than about 100 mm, 90 mm, 80 mm, 70 mm, 60 mm oreven less than about 50 mm. This narrowest width may further be forexample at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, smaller than the width of thedeposition area at its largest point in the front and/or back regions ofthe deposition area 8. The absorbent material deposition area 8 can alsobe generally rectangular, for example as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, butother deposition areas can also be used such as a “T” or “Y” shape”.

The basis weight (amount deposited per unit of surface) of the SAP mayalso be varied along the deposition area 8 to create a profileddistribution of the SAP in the longitudinal direction, in thetransversal direction, or both directions of the core. Hence along thelongitudinal axis of the core, the basis weight of the SAP deposited indifferent land areas may be varied, as well as along the transversalaxis, or any axis parallel to any of these axis. When the SAP depositionpattern comprises land areas separated by junction areas, the basisweight of SAP in a land area of relatively high basis weight may thus befor example at least 10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50% higher than ina land area of relatively low basis weight. In particular the land areaspresent in a deposition area of the core having a narrowed width, ormore generally a small surface area, (for example in a middle orintermediate region between the front and back regions of the core) mayhave on average more SAP per unit of surface deposited as compared toother deposition areas having a larger deposition area.

The SAP layer may be deposited using known techniques which allowrelatively precise deposition of SAP at relatively high speed. Inparticular the SAP printing technology as disclosed for example inUS2006/24433 (Blessing), US2008/0312617 and US2010/0051166A1 (both toHundorf et al.) may be used. This technique uses a printing roll todeposit SAP onto a substrate disposed on a grid of a support which mayinclude a plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel toand spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between theplurality of cross-bars. This technology allows high-speed and precisedeposition of SAP on a substrate.

Acquisition-Distribution System (“ADS”)

The absorbent articles of the invention comprise anacquisition-distribution system (referred to herein as “ADS”) betweenthe topsheet and the absorbent core. The function of the ADS is toacquire the fluid and/or distribute it to the absorbent core in anefficient manner. The ADS may comprise one, two or more layers. When theADS comprises two or more layers, these may be bonded together butremain discrete layers that can be clearly identified. The ADS may alsobe formed by a single layer which may be a homogeneous layer or beformed by two or more sub-layers with different properties that areclosely integrated together, for example by fiber intermeshing, so thatthe ADS can be handled as a single discrete layer.

In the examples represented in the FIG. 1-9, the ADS comprises twodiscrete layers: a distribution layer 54 and an acquisition layer 52disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet. In the examplerepresented in FIG. 10, the ADS comprises a single layer or material 60,which may be a material according to the distribution layer oracquisition layer further detailed below, or any of the other materialscommercially available or known in the art for example as indicated inWO94/23761 (Payne), WO2000/59430 (Daley), WO95/10996 (Richards), U.S.Pat. No. 5,700,254 (McDowall), WO02/067809 (Graef), U.S. Pat. Nos.5,486,166 and 5,490,846 (Bishop). The prior art discloses many types ofacquisition-distribution systems comprising a single layer.

According to the invention, the ADS extends along the longitudinal axisof the article at least between the points A1 and A2. These points aredisposed on the longitudinal axis and spaced respectively from the frontedge and back edge of the article by a distance D, with D equal to 32%of the length L of the article along the longitudinal axis. The ADS maybe advantageously disposed at least 5 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm furtherbeyond these points towards the front and/or back edges of the absorbentarticle. If the ADS comprises more than one layer, these may be ofdifferent lengths and/or width, but advantageously all the layers willextend at least between A1 and A2.

According to the invention, the ADS has a basis weight which is lower atthe point A2 disposed further to the back of the article than at thepoint A1. The basis weight of the ADS may be in particular at least 20%lower at A2 than at A1. This basis weight difference between the ADS atthe point A1 and the point A2 may be for example from 20% to 90%, or 30%to 70%. If the ADS comprises more than one layer, the basis weightdifference between the points A1 and A2 may be provided by a weightdifference in one or more of the layers of the ADS. In the non-limitingexample as shown in the FIGS. 1-9, the basis weight difference is due toa difference in the basis weight of the distribution layer, theacquisition layer remaining at equal basis weight along its length, aswill further detailed below.

The ADS or any components thereof may also be profiled in thetransversal (CD) direction. For example the basis weight of the ADS orany of its components may be higher along the longitudinal axis of thearticle compared to the lateral sides thereof. This can be achieved byhaving a component of the ADS larger than the other component in thetransversal direction (for example as represented in the Figures, theacquisition layer 52 is larger than the distribution layer 54) ofprofiling in cross-direction one layer of ADS, for example thedistribution layer exemplified in this description comprisingcross-linked cellulose.

Typically, the ADS will not comprise SAP as this may slow theacquisition and distribution of the fluid. The ADS may comprise,although not necessarily, two layers: a distribution layer and anacquisition layer, which will now be discussed in more details.

Distribution Layer 54

The function of a distribution layer 54 is to spread the insulting fluidliquid over a larger surface within the article so that the absorbentcapacity of the core can be more efficiently used. Typicallydistribution layer are made of a nonwoven material based on synthetic orcellulosic fibers and having a relatively low density. The density ofthe distribution layer may vary depending on the compression of thearticle, but may typically range from 0.03 to 0.25 g/cm³, in particularfrom 0.05 to 0.15 g/cm³ measured at 0.30 psi (2.07 kPa). Thedistribution layer 54 may also be a material having a water retentionvalue of from 25 to 60, preferably from 30 to 45, measured as indicatedin the procedure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537.

The distribution layer may for example comprise at least 50% by weightof cross-linked cellulose fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fibers maybe crimped, twisted, or curled, or a combination thereof includingcrimped, twisted, and curled. This type of material has been used in thepast in disposable diapers as part of an acquisition system, for exampleUS 2008/0312622 A1 (Hundorf) however not in the profiled manner of theinvention. The cross-linked cellulosic fibers provide higher resilienceand therefore higher resistance to the first absorbent layer against thecompression in the product packaging or in use conditions, e.g. underbaby weight. This provides the core with a higher void volume,permeability and liquid absorption, and hence reduced leakage andimproved dryness.

Exemplary chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers suitable for adistribution layer are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,549,791, 5,137,537,WO9534329 or US2007/118087. Exemplary cross-linking agents includepolycarboxylic acids such as citric acid and/or polyacrylic acids suchas acrylic acid and maleic acid copolymers. For example, the crosslinkedcellulosic fibers may have between about 0.5 mole % and about 10.0 mole% of a C2-C9 polycarboxylic acid cross-linking agent, calculated on acellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with said fibers in anintrafiber ester crosslink bond form. The C2-C9 polycarboxylic acidcross-linking agent may be selected from the group consisting of:

aliphatic and alicyclic C2-C9 polycarboxylic acids having at least threecarboxyl groups per molecule; and

aliphatic and alicyclic C2-C9 polycarboxylic acids having two carboxylgroups per molecule and having a carbon-carbon double bond locatedalpha, beta to one or both of the carboxyl groups, wherein one carboxylgroup in said C2-C9 polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent is separatedfrom a second carboxyl group by either two or three carbon atoms. Thefibers may have in particular between about 1.5 mole % and about 6.0mole % crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucosemolar basis, reacted therewith in the form of intrafiber ester crosslinkbonds. The cross-linking agent may be selected from the group consistingof citric acid, 1, 2, 3, 4 butane tetracarboxylic acid, and 1, 2, 3propane tricarboxylic acid, in particular citric acid.

Polyacrylic acid cross-linking agents may also be selected frompolyacrylic acid homopolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid, and mixturesthereof. The fibers may have between 1.0 weight % and 10.0 weight %,preferably between 3 weight % and 7 weight %, of these cross-linkingagents, calculated on a dry fiber weight basis, reacted therewith in theform of intra-fiber crosslink bonds. The cross-linking agent may be apolyacrylic acid polymer having a molecular weight of from 500 to40,000, preferably from 1,000 to 20,000. The polymeric polyacrylic acidcross-linking agent may be a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid,in particular wherein the weight ratio of acrylic acid to maleic acid isfrom 10:1 to 1:1, preferably from 5:1 to 1.5:1. An effective amount ofcitric acid may be further mixed with said polymeric polyacrylic acidcross-linking agent.

The distribution layer comprising cross-linked cellulose fibers of theinvention may comprise other fibers, but this layer may advantageouslycomprise at least 50%, or 60%, or 70%, or 80%, or 90% or even up to100%, by weight of the layer, of cross-linked cellulose fibers(including the cross-linking agents). Examples of such mixed layer ofcross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise about 70% by weight ofchemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, about 10% by weight polyester(PET) fibers, and about 20% by weight untreated pulp fibers. In anotherexample, the layer of cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise about70% by weight chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, about 20% byweight lyocell fibers, and about 10% by weight PET fibers. In anotherexample, the layer may comprise about 68% by weight chemicallycross-linked cellulose fibers, about 16% by weight untreated pulpfibers, and about 16% by weight PET fibers. In another example, thelayer of cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise from about 90-100%by weight chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers.

The distribution layer 54 may comprise a first zone Z1 towards the frontof the article encompassing the point A1 where the distribution layer isof homogenous basis weight, and optionally of homogenous thickness anddensity, e.g. as seen in FIG. 2. A second zone Z2 may be present towardsthe back of the article encompassing the point A2 where the distributionlayer is of homogenous basis weight, and of optionally homogenousthickness and density. The basis weight of the distribution layer in thesecond zone Z2 may be at least 20% lower than in the first zone Z1. Atransition zone Z3 may be present between Z1 and Z2. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, the first zone Z1 and transition zone Z3 may be substantiallyrectangular as seen in the horizontal plane of the diaper (defined bythe longitudinal and transversal axes 80, 90). The second zone Z2 may bealso rectangular, or as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 may have another shapesuch as a semi-circular shape in the horizontal plane. These shapes arenot limiting and any shape for any of the zone is possible, inparticular rectangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, conical,semi-circular, ellipsoidal, tapering towards the front or the back ofthe article or with a tapering as in a “dog bone” or “hour-glass” shape,and combinations thereof. FIGS. 6 and 7 for example show a transitionzone Z3 having a trapezoidal shape, as seen in the horizontal plane.

The zone Z2 comprising point A2 may also have a gradually and linearlydecreasing basis weight towards the back edge of the article as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 for example, so that a transition zone is not necessarybetween the zone Z1 directly surrounding point A1 and the zone Z2directly surrounding point A2. The zone Z2 in these embodiments may bealso semi-circular, for example as shown in FIG. 6 or as representedcombined a trapeze and a semi-circular shape as shown in FIG. 8.

The zone Z1 may be larger than Z2. For example, Z1 may have a surfacearea, as seen from the topside of the article, of at least 50 cm², or atleast 75 cm² or at least 100 cm², for example between 100 and 500 cm².Z2 may have a surface area, as seen from the topside of the article, ofat least 10 cm², or at least 15 cm² or at least 20 cm², for examplebetween 20 and 100 cm². Z3 may have a surface area, as seen from thetopside of the article, of at least 10 cm², or at least 15 cm² or atleast 20 cm², for example between 20 and 100 cm².

Although the zones Z1-Z3 have been discussed with reference to thedistribution layer, the same proportions for the different zones mayapply to the ADS in general and/or to an acquisition layer, if present.

The distribution layer may typically have an average basis weight offrom 30 to 400 g/m², in particular from 100 to 300 g/m², with the basisweight varying along the length of the article as indicated in theclaims. The basis weight in the zone Z1 may for example range from 50 to400 g/m², more particularly from 100 to 300 g/m². The basis weight inthe zone Z2 (average basis weight if the zone is not homogeneous) mayfor example range from 20 to 200 g/m², in particular 30 to 150 g/m². Theaverage basis weight in the transition zone Z3 if present may range forexample between 50 and 300 g/m².

Acquisition Layer 52

The ADS may comprise an acquisition layer 52, whose function is toquickly acquire the fluid away from the topsheet so as to provide a gooddryness for the wearer. The acquisition layer 52 is typically placeddirectly under the topsheet. If present, the distribution layer 54 maybe at least partially disposed under the acquisition layer 52. Theacquisition layer 52 may typically be or comprise a non-woven material,for example a SMS or SMMS material, comprising a spunbonded, amelt-blown and a further spunbonded layer or alternatively a cardedchemical-bonded nonwoven. The non-woven material may in particular belatex bonded. Exemplary upper acquisition layers 52 are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,786,341. Carded, resin-bonded nonwovens may be used, inparticular where the fibers used are solid round PET staple fibers(50/50 or 40/60 mix of 6 denier and 9 denier fibers). An exemplarybinder is a butadiene/styrene latex. Non-wovens have the advantage thatthey can be manufactured outside the converting line and stored and usedas a roll of material.

Further useful non-wovens are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,569 toCramer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,933 to Cramer et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,112,621 to Rohrbaugh et al., and co patent applications US2003/148684to Cramer et al. and US2005/008839 to Cramer et al.

The acquisition layer 52 may be stabilized by a latex binder, forexample a styrene-butadiene latex binder (SB latex). Processes forobtaining such lattices are known, for example, from EP 149 880 (Kwok)and US 2003/0105190 (Diehl et al.). In certain embodiments, the bindermay be present in the acquisition layer 52 in excess of about 12%, about14% or about 16% by weight. SB latex is available under the trade nameGENFLO™ 3160 (OMNOVA Solutions Inc.; Akron, Ohio).

If present, the acquisition layer 52 may typically have a rectangularshape as seen in the horizontal plane and as shown in the Figures, butit may also have any shapes such as rectangular, square, trapezoidal,circular, conical, semi-circular, ellipsoidal, tapering towards thefront or the rear of the article or with a central tapering as in a “dogbone” or “hour-glass” shape, and combinations thereof. The acquisitionlayer may for example comprise a rectangular central part and a roundedend towards the front and/or back of the core in a similar way as shownfor the distribution layer 54 e.g. as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8.

A further acquisition layer may be used in addition to a firstacquisition layer described above. For example a tissue layer may beplaced between the first acquisition layer and the distribution layer.The tissue may have enhanced capillarity distribution propertiescompared to the acquisition layer described above. The tissue and thefirst acquisition layer may be of the same size or may be of differentsize, for example the tissue layer may extend further in the back of theabsorbent article than the first acquisition layer. An example ofhydrophilic tissue is a 13-15 gsm high wet strength made of cellulosefibers from supplier Havix.

Relations Between the Layers

If an acquisition layer is present, it may be advantageous that thisacquisition layer is larger than or least as large as the distributionlayer in the longitudinal and transversal dimension. Thus thedistribution layer can be deposited on the acquisition layer. Thissimplifies handling, in particular if the acquisition layer is anonwoven which can be unrolled from a roll of stock material and thedistribution layer directly formed by deposition of fibers on theacquisition layer, for example. It is however not excluded that theacquisition layer may be smaller in the plane of the article than thedistribution layer. The distribution layer may also be depositeddirectly on the absorbent core's upper side of the core wrap or anotherlayer of the article.

The absorbent core and in particular its absorbent material depositionarea 8 may advantageously be at least as large and long andadvantageously at least partially larger and/or longer than the ADS.This is because the SAP layer can usually more effectively retain fluidand provide dryness benefits across a larger area than the ADS. Theabsorbent article may have a rectangular absorbent material depositionlayer and a non-rectangular (shaped) ADS. The absorbent article may alsohave a rectangular (non-shaped) distribution layer and a rectangularlayer of SAP.

Adhesives may be typically used to improve the adhesion of the differentlayers, for example between the backsheet and the core wrap, typicallythe glue may be any standard hotmelt glue as known in the art. The gluemay be typically sprayed on the whole or part of the surface of onelayer before combining the two layers.

Channels

The absorbent material deposition layer in the absorbent core may or maynot comprise one or more channels 26,26′. The channels may be relativelylarge zones within the absorbent material deposition area, which aresubstantially free of SAP. The channels in the absorbent core may be atleast partially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the articleand have a length projected on the longitudinal axis which is at least10% of the length L of the absorbent article, and/or a width W of atleast 2 mm at least in some part of the channels. Additional channelsmay be present, in particular shorter or thinner channels. The ADS mayalso comprise channels which may or not correspond to the channels inthe absorbent core.

The absorbent core may comprise only two channels, for example only inthe front region, or for example in the middle (crotch) region andoptionally extending into the front and/or back region. The crotchregion can be defined as the region of the diaper between point A1 andpoint A2. The absorbent core may also comprise more than two of suchchannels, for example at least 4, or at least 5 or at least 6. Some orall of these may be substantially parallel to one another, for examplebeing all straight and completely longitudinally, and/or two or more orall may be mirror images of one another in the longitudinal axis, or twoor more may be curved or angled and for example mirror images of oneanother in the longitudinal axis, and two or more may be differentlycurved or straight, and for example mirror images of one another in thelongitudinal axis. Shorter channels may also be present, for example inthe back side or the front side of the core as represented by the pairof channels 27, 27′ in FIG. 1.

The channels may be particularly advantageous to help the fluid topenetrate quicker within the absorbent core. The core may comprise oneor more channels, in particular one or more pairs of channelssymmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis 80. Since thechannels may be substantially free of SAP, they will not swell when wetand will be typically clearly visible in wet state, whereas the junctionareas which are much smaller and part of the deposition area may not bevisible in wet state, as the SAP will expand and may swell into thejunction areas.

The channels may be particularly useful when the absorbent materialdeposition area 8 is rectangular, as the channels can improve theflexibility of the core to an extent that there is less advantage inusing a non-rectangular (shaped) core. Of course channels may also bepresent in a layer of SAP having a shaped deposition area.

The channels may in particular extend substantially longitudinally,which means typically that each channel extends more in the longitudinaldirection than in the transverse direction, and typically at least twiceas much in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction(as measured after projection on the respective axis). There may be nocompletely or substantially transverse channels in the core.

The channels may be completely oriented longitudinally and parallel tothe longitudinal-axis but also may be curved, provided the radius ofcurvature is typically at least equal (and preferably at least 1.5 or atleast 2.0 times this average transverse dimension) to the averagetransverse dimension of the absorbent layer; and also straight but underan angle of (e.g. from 5°) up to 30°, or for example up to 20°, or up to10° with a line parallel to the longitudinal axis. This may alsoincludes channels with an angle therein, provided said angle between twoparts of a channel is at least 120°, preferably at least 150°; and inany of these cases, provided the longitudinal extension of the channelis more than the transverse extension.

At least one of the channels may have an average width W along itslength which is at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm or at least 4 mm, forexample up to 20 mm, or 16 mm. The width of the channel formed bysubstantially absorbent material and/or SAP free zone in the absorbentmaterial deposition area may be constant through substantially the wholelength of the channel or may vary along its length.

The channels are advantageously permanent channels, meaning theirintegrity is at least partially maintained both in the dry state and inthe wet state. Permanent channels may be obtained by provision of one ormore adhesive material, for example the fibrous layer of adhesivematerial or a construction glue that helps adhering for example asubstrate with an absorbent material within the walls of the channel.The Wet Channel Integrity Test described below can be used to test ifchannels are permanent following wet saturation and to what extent.

Permanent channels may be in particular formed by bonding the upper sideand lower side of the core wrap (e.g. first substrate 16 and the secondsubstrate 16′) together through the channels. Typically, an adhesive canbe used to bond both sides of the core wrap through the channels, but itis possible to bond via other known means, for example ultrasonicbonding, or heat bonding. The top side and bottom side of the core wrapcan be continuously bonded or intermittently bonded along the channels.

The channels may provide for fast liquid acquisition which reduces riskof leakages. The channels may help to avoid saturation of the absorbentlayer in the region of fluid discharge (such saturation increases therisk of leakages). Furthermore, the inventors surprisingly found that,in contrast to what would be expected, whilst the overall amount of SAPmaterial in the absorbent structure is reduced (by providing channelsfree of such material), the fluid handling properties of the absorbentarticle are improved. Permanent channels, also have the furtheradvantages that in wet state the superabsorbent polymer cannot movewithin the core and remains in its intended position, thus providingbetter fit and fluid absorption.

Advantageously, if present, the channels have a percentage of integrityof at least 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50%, or 60, or 70%, or 80%, or 90%following the Wet Channel Integrity Test.

In some embodiments, there is no channel that coincides with thelongitudinal axis 80. When present as symmetrical pairs relative to thelongitudinal axis, the channels may be spaced apart from one anotherover their whole longitudinal dimension. The smallest spacing distancemay be for example at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, or at least 16 mm.

Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of fluid leakages, the channelsmay typically not extend up to any of the edges of the absorbentmaterial deposition area 8, and are therefore fully encompassed withinthis area. Typically, the smallest distance between a channel and theclosest edge of the absorbent material deposition area is at least 5 mm.

Fastening System

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system. The fastening systemcan be used to provide lateral tensions about the circumference of thediaper 20 to hold the diaper on the wearer. This fastening system is notnecessary for training pant article since the waist region of thesearticles is already bonded. The fastening system usually comprises afastener such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components,interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps,and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other knownfastening means are generally acceptable. A landing zone (notrepresented) is normally provided on the front waist region for thefastener to be releasably attached. Some exemplary surface fasteningsystems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594, 4,662,875, 4,846,815,4,894,060, 4,946,527, 5,151,092 and 5,221,274 issued to Buell. Anexemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,432,098. The fastening system may also provide a means for holding thearticle in a disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al.

The fastening system may also include primary and secondary fasteningsystems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622 to reduce shifting ofoverlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,242,436, 5,499,978, 5,507,736, and 5,591,152.

Front and Back Ears 46, 40

The diaper 20 may comprise front ears 46 and back ears 40 as is known inthe art. The ears can be integral part of the chassis, for exampleformed from the topsheet and/or backsheet as side panel. Alternatively,as represented on FIG. 1, they may be separate elements attached bygluing and/or heat embossing. The back ears 40 are advantageouslystretchable to facilitate the attachment of the tabs 42 on the landingzone 40 and maintain the taped diapers in place around the wearer'swaist. The back ears 40 may also be elastic or extensible to provide amore comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting thediaper 20 to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time ofwear well past when the diaper 20 has been loaded with exudates sincethe elasticized ears allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand andcontract.

Leg Cuffs

The diaper 20 may typically comprise leg cuffs which provide improvedcontainment of liquids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs may also bereferred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs.Usually each leg cuff will comprise one or more elastic string comprisedin the chassis of the diaper for example between the topsheet andbacksheet in the area of the leg openings to provide an effective sealwhile the diaper is in use (“gasketing cuffs”). It is also usual for theleg cuffs to comprise “stand-up” elasticized flaps (“barrier leg cuffs”)which improve the containment of the leg regions. Each barrier leg cufftypically comprises one or more elastic strings. Typically the barrierleg cuffs are placed further towards the middle of the article than thegasketing cuffs.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper which provides acontractible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elasticmembers to provide an elasticized leg cuff (a gasketing cuff). U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. describe disposablediapers having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) whichimprove the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and4,795,454 issued to Lawson and to Dragoo respectively, describedisposable diapers having dual cuffs, including gasketing cuffs andbarrier leg cuffs. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat allor a portion of the leg cuffs with a lotion, as described above. Legcuffs are not represented in the Figures for convenience but should beconsidered present.

Elastic Waist Feature

The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waist feature (notrepresented) that helps to provide improved fit and containment. Theelastic waist feature is generally intended to elastically expand andcontract to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waistfeature preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from atleast one waist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms atleast a portion of the end edge of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers canbe constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, one positionedin the front waist region and one positioned in the back waist region.The elastic waist feature may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595,4,710,189, 5,151,092 and 5,221,274.

Method of Making the Article

The absorbent article of the invention may be made by any conventionalmethods known in the art. In particular the articles may be hand-made orindustrially produced at high speed. A profiled ADS may be obtainedusing various techniques. For example if the ADS or part of it is madeof a roll of stock material, more layers of the roll of material may bedisposed at point A1 than at point A2 to achieve the required dimensionof the invention. For example a first layer of ADS may be rolled out andextended from at least A1 to at least A2 and a second layer of the sameor different material roll material placed above the first layer from atleast A1 but not reaching A2. In this case the basis weight differenceat A1 and A2 will be 50%. Two layers may be rolled out between A1 and A2and a third over A1 but not reaching A2 giving a difference of 33%. Ifthe ADS comprises a fibrous material which is deposited on theconverting line, such as cross-linked cellulose it is possible todeposit more of the material in the area surrounding A1 than in the areasurrounding A2, as shown for the distribution layer 52 shown in theFigures. Standard equipments used to form profiled core may be used forthis purpose. Typically these equipments comprise cavities having therequired form connected to a suction device to suck the fibers insidethe cavities and form the profiled layer. The formed fibrous layer isthen released into a substrate which may itself be a component of theabsorbent article, typically a non-woven substrate. Of course it is alsopossible to make “hand-made” fibrous layers having the requiredproperties.

Experimental Settings

Unless otherwise mentioned, the values indicated herein are measuredaccording to the methods indicated herein below. All measurements areperformed at 21±2° C. and 50±20% RH unless specified otherwise.

Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)

The CRC measures the liquid absorbed by the superabsorbent polymerparticles for free swelling in excess liquid. The CRC is measuredaccording to EDANA method WSP 241.2-05.

Caliper (Thickness of the Article)

Equipment: Mitutoyo manual caliper gauge with a resolution of 0.01 mm—orequivalent instrument.

Contact Foot: Flat circular foot with a diameter of 20 mm (±0.2 mm). Acircular weight may be applied to the foot (e.g., a weight with a slotto facilitate application around the instrument shaft) to achieve thetarget weight. The total weight of foot and added weight (includingshaft) is selected to provide 2.07 kPa (0.30 psi) of pressure to thesample.

The caliper gauge is mounted with the lower surface of the contact footin a horizontal plane so that the lower surface of the contact footcontacts the center of the flat horizontal upper surface of a base plateapproximately 20×25 cm. The gauge is set to read zero with the contactfoot resting on the base plate.

Ruler: Calibrated metal ruler graduated in mm.

Stopwatch: Accuracy 1 second

Sample Preparation:

If the absorbent articles are provided in a package, the sample articlesto be tested are removed from the center area of a package. If thepackage contains more than 4 articles, the outer most two articles oneach side of the package are not used in the testing. If the packagecontains more than 4 but fewer than 14 articles, then more than onepackage of articles is required to complete the testing. If the packagecontains 14 or more articles, then only one package of articles isrequired to perform the testing. If the package contains 4 or fewerarticles then all articles in the package are measured and multiplepackages are required to perform the measurement. Caliper readingsshould be taken 24±1 hours after the article is removed from thepackage. Physical manipulation of product should be minimal andrestricted only to necessary sample preparation.

Any elastic components of the article that prevent the article frombeing laid flat under the caliper foot are cut or removed. These mayinclude leg cuffs or waistbands. Pant-type articles are opened or cutalong the side seams as necessary. Apply sufficient tension to flattenout any folds/wrinkles. Care is taken to avoid touching and/orcompressing the absorbent core and ADS area. The length of the articleis measured along the longitudinal centerline of the article from thefront edge to the back edge.

Measurement Procedure:

The article is laid flat on a counter top, garment-facing side down. Alateral line is drawn across the body-facing surface of the article at adefined distance D from the diaper front and back edge. The distance Dis defined as 32% of the total length of the article. The intersectionsbetween the lateral lines at distance D with the longitudinal centerlineare marked using a permanent felt tip marker. These intersectionsrepresent the locations where the center of the caliper foot is placedduring the caliper measurement and are referred to the “back caliper”and “front caliper” measurement points.

The contact foot of the caliper gauge is raised and the article isplaced on base plate, garment-facing surface side down so that whenlowered, the center of the foot is on one of the marked measuringpoints.

The foot is gently lowered onto the article and released (ensurecalibration to “0” prior to the start of the measurement). The calipervalue is read to the nearest 0.01 mm, 10 seconds after the foot isreleased.

The procedure is repeated for each measuring point. If there is a foldat the measuring point, the measurement is done in the closest area tothis point but without any folds.

Ten articles are measured in this manner for a given product and the“average front caliper” and the “average back caliper” value iscalculated and reported with an accuracy of one tenth mm.

Basis Weight of the Ads or its Component Layers

The basis weight of the ADS, or any of its component layers such asacquisition layer and distribution layer, at the points A1 and A2 willtypically be known by the manufacturer from the product makingspecification. However, if the basis weight is not known for a givenarticle, the basis weight can be measured in the following manner. Themeasurements should be made on 10 similar articles and the valuesmeasured averaged.

The basis weight is measured by die-cutting a circular sample of theabsorbent article having a 1 cm diameter centered on the point A1 and A2respectively. If the points A1 and/or A2 are on the edge of the ADS sothat it not possible to die cut the ADS exactly centering on the pointsA1 or A2, the die cutting tool is slightly moved (by a maximum of 5 mm)towards the center of the article so that the edge of the die cutcoincides with the edge of the ADS.

The material of the ADS or its component layers in the sample is thenseparated from the materials of the other layers. The material ofinterest is weighed on an accurate scale (within ±0.0001 g), the weightand area of the sample determining the basis weight.

Wet Channel Integrity Test

This test is designed to check the integrity of a channel in anabsorbent core following wet saturation.

1. The full length (in millimeters) of the channel is measured in thedry state (if the channel is not straight, the curvilinear lengththrough the middle of the channel is measured).

2. The absorbent core is then completely immersed in a large excess(e.g. 5 liters) of synthetic urine “Saline”, with a concentration of9.00 g NaCl per 1000 ml solution prepared by dissolving the appropriateamount of sodium chloride in distilled water. The temperature of thesolution must be 20+/−5° C.

3. After 1 minute in the saline, the core is removed and held verticallyby one end for 5 seconds to drain, then extended flat on an horizontalsurface with the top side (the side intended to be facing the wearer inthe article) facing up. If the core comprises stretch elements, it ispulled taut so that no contraction is observed. The core can be fixed toan horizontal surface by clamps at its front edge and back edge, so thatno contraction can happen.

4. The absorbent core is covered with a rectangular suitably weightedrigid plate, with dimensions as follows: length equal to the full lengthof the core, and width equal to the maximum core width at the widestpoint.

5. A pressure of 18.0 kPa is applied for 30 seconds over the area of therigid plate above mentioned. Pressure is calculated on the basis ofoverall area encompassed by the rigid plate. Pressure is achieved byplacing additional weights in the geometric center of the rigid plate,such that the combined weight of the rigid plate and the additionalweights result in a pressure of 18.0 kPa over the total area of therigid plate.

6. After 30 seconds, the additional weights and the rigid plate areremoved.

7. Immediately afterwards, the cumulative length of the portions of thechannel which remained intact is measured (in millimeters; if thechannel is not straight, the curvilinear length through the middle ofthe channel is measured). If no portions of the channel remained intactthen the channel is not permanent.

8. The percentage of integrity of the permanent channel is calculated bydividing the cumulative length of the portions of the channel whichremained intact by the length of the channel in the dry state, and thenmultiplying the quotient by 100.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising a front end, aback end and a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal directionof the article, the article having a length L as measured along thelongitudinal axis between the front end and the back end, the absorbentarticle comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet; a liquid impermeablebacksheet; an absorbent core comprising a core wrap enclosing anabsorbent material; and an acquisition-distribution system at leastpartially disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet andcomprising two or more layers; wherein the acquisition-distributionsystem extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article atleast from a point A1 disposed at a distance D from the front end to apoint A2 disposed at the distance D from the back end of the article,wherein the distance D is equal to about 32% of the length L of thearticle, wherein the acquisition-distribution system has a basis weightwhich is lower at the point A2 than at the point A1 and wherein theacquisition-distribution system comprises an acquisition layer and adistribution layer and does not comprise superabsorbent polymer, whereinthe acquisition layer is disposed closer to the topsheet than thedistribution layer and the distribution layer is profiled along thelongitudinal axis such that the basis weight of the distribution layerat the point A2 is at least about 20% lower than at the point A1, andwherein the acquisition-distribution system comprises a first zone Z1disposed towards the front end and encompassing point AL, and a secondzone Z2 disposed towards the back end and encompassing point A2; whereinthe first zone Z1 comprises a homogenous basis weight and the secondzone Z2 comprises a gradually, linearly decreasing basis weight.
 2. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the caliper of the absorbentarticle at the point A2 is at least about 20% lower than the caliper ofthe absorbent article at the point A1, as measured according to theCaliper Test as disclosed by the instant specification.
 3. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the first zone Z1 comprises a larger surfacearea than the second zone Z2.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the acquisition layer comprises a latex-bonded nonwoven.
 5. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the area of theabsorbent material within the core wrap defines an absorbent materialdeposition area, and wherein the acquisition-distribution system doesnot extend beyond any edges of the absorbent material deposition area.6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material ofthe absorbent core comprises at least 80% of superabsorbent polymers bytotal weight of the absorbent material.
 7. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein the absorbent material of the absorbent core comprisesless than 10% of natural or synthetic fibers by total weight of theabsorbent material.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theabsorbent core comprises at least one channel substantially free ofsuperabsorbent polymers.